Luke 18:22

 **BIBLE VERSE**

Luke 18:22

"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”"

Luke 18:22

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**1. WHAT DOES IT SAY?**

* Jesus has just heard a rich young ruler declare that he has kept all of the commandments since his youth (v. 21).

* Jesus responds by telling the man that he still has one thing left to do (v. 22a).

* Jesus commands him to sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor, promising that he will have treasure in heaven in return (v. 22b).

* Finally, Jesus issues a direct invitation to the man to come and follow him (v. 22c).

**2. WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS?**

* **a) Historical Context:** Who was the rich young ruler? What was the general understanding of a person with great wealth in this culture? Was it a sign of God's blessing?

* **b) Cultural Context:** What was the cultural attitude toward poverty? Did people believe the poor were being punished by God for their sins?

* **c) Theological Context:** Was Jesus telling all his followers to sell everything and live in poverty? Why was this command given to this one person?

* **d) Literary Context:** What is the significance of this story being placed after Jesus’s statement that the kingdom of God belongs to children, and before his declaration about how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom?

* **e) Life Application:** What does it mean for me to "sell all my possessions" in a modern, Western context? Am I supposed to give away everything I own?

**3. WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN?**

Jesus is not giving a universal command for all people to sell their possessions. Instead, He is exposing the one thing this man valued more than God Himself. Wealth, for this ruler, was his ultimate allegiance and a source of security that was more important to him than following Jesus.

* **Understanding the propositions:** Jesus's command was not about the sin of having possessions but about the sin of **covetousness** and the idolatry of loving money more than God. The man was a good person by worldly standards, but his wealth was an idol that stood in the way of a total relationship with Jesus. The promise of "treasure in heaven" was an offer to trade his earthly idol for a heavenly reward.

* **Answering the questions:**

    * The rich young ruler was likely a respected and honored man. In ancient Israel, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor and blessing. Jesus's challenge to this man was a radical message that went against the cultural grain.

    * The story is a dramatic turning point. It highlights Jesus’s teaching that the kingdom of God requires total dependence on God, like a child, and that wealth can be a spiritual hindrance. The lesson that follows is that the rich can only be saved by God's intervention, as it is impossible for them to enter the kingdom on their own.

**4. HOW DOES THE TEXT APPLY TO ME?**

This text encourages me to honestly examine my own heart for idols. It may not be my possessions, but it could be my career, my reputation, my relationships, or even my comfort. The verse challenges me to identify what I am unwilling to give up for the sake of following Jesus. It pushes me to ask myself, "Is there anything I love or value more than my relationship with God?" This verse encourages me to trust that my true security and treasure are found not in what I own or what I achieve, but in a complete and total surrender to Christ. It is a call to a deeper level of discipleship and trust.

**PRAYER/RESPONSE**

God, I confess that I often find my security in the things of this world—in my finances, my plans, or my comfort. I feel the fear of letting go of these things, even when I know they are not where true security is found. Please help me to see any idols that stand between You and me. Give me the courage to surrender them to You, knowing that You are my ultimate treasure. Strengthen me to follow You with a heart that is fully devoted to You, and help me to find my deepest joy and peace in You alone. Amen.